Paws to Ponder

Paws to Ponder is Woodcrest Kennel’s weekly newspaper column in the The Bridge Weekly Sho-Case.  Our column covers topics for all types and breeds of pets including topics on training, wellness, nutrition, responsible pet ownership, and more.

We hope that you will pick up the newspaper each week, available at locations all over the region including our place in Orford, and let us know what you think.  We welcome your comments, questions, and topics of interest that you would like to see covered.

Take a sneak peak below at a recent Paws to Ponder article:

Dry Spell
By Rose Atwood
30 December 2010

I received an excellent question from a reader last week.  “My dog has dry skin.  What can I put on her leg (where it bends?)  A product that is safe for her to lick too.  If she does!  Please don’t tell me to go to my Vet.  I believe I can handle this on my own.”

Dry skin is a problem for people and their pets this time of year.  As I slather lotion onto my hands each day as the humidity drops during the winter it stands to reason that pets would suffer from dry skin this time of year as well.  Dry skin can lead to itching which may irritate the area even further.  There are a couple approaches you can take to this problem.

First, you could combat dry skin caused by the lower humidity with a humidifier.  This should help with dry skin for all members of the household, help with the amount of static electricity that zaps both you and your pet, and also make it feel a bit warmer inside which everyone tends to appreciate in the cold winter months.

Alternately, and as the reader suggests, you can use a topical product on dry skin as you would put lotion on your own hands.  Most people don’t tend to lick their hands; however, your pet might be very attracted to whatever you put on their dry skin and want to lick it off.  For that reason you need to be careful about what you put on your pet’s dry skin and keep an eye on them afterward to discourage any licking because no matter what you use they could very well be even more attracted to the area.

I like to stick to products that are as simple and natural as possible.  I would recommend trying a product like Vaseline, Bag Balm, or Vitamin E oil used sparingly on a small patch of dry skin.   There are some home remedies for dry skin such as olive oil or making a thick oatmeal paste to apply and then wash off.  The problem with the home remedies is that they smell like food and your pet might become even more attracted to licking the area which could just make it worse.

Bathing your pet more often than necessary can contribute to dry skin.  When you bathe your pet try using a shampoo made for dry and itchy skin.  Look for pet specific products with oatmeal and Vitamins A and E as well as crème rinse conditioners that help to moisturize.

If you find that your pet has consistently dry and itchy skin at various times of the year you may want to consider how your pet’s nutrition might be affecting their skin.  Nutrition is a big factor in skin and coat health.  Food with Omega 3 fatty acids can help with skin and coat conditions.  Some pet owners add a very small amount of fish oil supplement to their pet’s food to help with this problem or choose a diet that is naturally high in these nutrients.

While the items I mention in this column work for many pets there are always exceptions and your Vet should know your pet’s individual needs best.  This is why you should always double check with your Vet before using any new product on your pet.

Please send comments, questions, and topics of interest to Rose Atwood of Woodcrest Kennel and Woodcrest Airedales at raa@woodcrestkennel.com or 32 Sawyer Brook Rd, Orford, NH 03777.